Hack for Accessibility 2026 at McDonald’s Global HQ

Join disability leaders, students, technologists, and community members to imagine and build a more accessible future.
About this Event

Note: Filling out this form is required: https://forms.gle/7tFw1ckMHNdyUSTt7

About This Event

Hack for Accessibility is back—and this year, we’re bringing together an incredible community at the Global McDonald’s Headquarters in Chicago!

Join Code Your Dreams, Deaf Kids Code, AIxDisability, and McDonald’s for a one-of-a-kind event centered on accessibility, disability inclusion, creativity, and technology.

Participants will collaborate in teams to develop ideas and solutions addressing real-world accessibility challenges. Throughout the event, teams will learn directly from disability advocates, community organizations, accessibility experts, and technology professionals.

No matter your level of technical experience, you belong here. You do not need to know how to code to participate. We need people with many different skills, perspectives, and lived experiences—including designers, storytellers, problem-solvers, researchers, advocates, educators, technologists, and community leaders.

Event Details

📅 Saturday, October 3, 2026
⏰ 8AM-6PM
📍 Global McDonald’s Headquarters

Who Can Participate?

Hack for Accessibility includes dedicated participation tracks for:

🎓 High school students
🌱 Adult learners
💼 College students, professionals, and community members

Whether this is your first hackathon or your tenth, you are welcome. Teams will receive support throughout the experience, and no previous coding or hackathon experience is required.

What to Expect

✨ Collaborative, accessibility-focused challenges
✨ Opportunities to learn directly from disability leaders and organizations
✨ Mentorship from professionals across technology, design, accessibility, and other fields
✨ A creative and welcoming environment where every skill set can contribute
✨ Awards and prizes—including Grimace Crocs, gift cards, and more
✨ Opportunities to connect with people committed to building a more accessible future

Keynote Speaker: Clara Woods

We are honored to welcome globally recognized artist and disability advocate Clara Woods as our keynote speaker.

After experiencing a perinatal stroke, Clara was initially given a devastating prognosis. Although she cannot speak, read, or write, she understands three languages and communicates through vibrant, expressive artwork. Clara has shared her work and story around the world, inspiring others to recognize the creativity, intelligence, and potential of people with disabilities.

Why Hack for Accessibility Matters

Accessibility cannot be an afterthought—and disability communities must be included in shaping the technologies, products, and experiences that affect their lives.

Hack for Accessibility creates opportunities to expose and prepare new talent, showcase the brilliance and innovation of disability communities, and help participants understand how accessibility can lead to better solutions for everyone.

Over the past three years, Hack for Accessibility has welcomed more than 1,000 participants. People travel from across the United States to participate because there is nothing else quite like it.

Accessibility

We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible event. During registration, participants will have the opportunity to share accessibility accommodations, communication needs, dietary needs, and food allergies.

If you have questions about accessibility or need assistance completing your registration, please contact us.

Important Registration Information

Space is limited, and registration may close once all available spots have been filled. Please register as soon as possible here: https://forms.gle/7tFw1ckMHNdyUSTt7.

Submitting a registration does not guarantee participation until you receive a confirmation from the event organizers. Additional event information and preparation materials will be shared with confirmed participants before the event.

Participants under age 18 may be required to submit a parent or guardian consent form.

Hosted By

Hack for Accessibility is presented by Code Your Dreams, Deaf Kids Code, AIxDisability, and McDonald’s.

Together, we are building a future in which accessibility is expected, disability perspectives are valued, and everyone has the opportunity to contribute to innovation.

Register today to connect, imagine, and build toward a more accessible future!